Save la Petite bande - bis & up date

[Marc]

When do governments realise that cultural funding must be regulated with buffer funds? Money should be saved in these buffers when it's the good times and use when it's bad times like today. Culture needs steady funding because it's about persistence and the fruits come from longterm dedicated work. Fluctuating the funding based on economical changes is idiotic.

Governments exist of politicians.
Politicians want to gain votes to get more influence and power.

Unfortunately most people aren't interested in culture. They think that public money for culture is synonym with wasted public money. The same goes f.i. for development aid.

Unfortunately most people aren't interested in longterm dedications, either. They want to have their goodies right now.

Consequently items like culture, development aid, longterm and durable planning are no big issues during the elections.

The issues of the day are reigning. And I'm afraid this way of thinking/voting/governing has gained ground during the last decades.

[71 dB]

Unfortunately most people aren't interested in culture. They think that public money for culture is synonym with wasted public money. The same goes f.i. for development aid.

For many Eurovision song contest is culture. That's why we have cultural committees defending the real culture.

Unfortunately most people aren't interested in longterm dedications, either. They want to have their goodies right now.

All we need is the dedication of la Petite bande and regulated steady funding of culture. That's really all we need.

[Marc]

For many Eurovision song contest is culture. That's why we have cultural committees defending the real culture.
All we need is the dedication of la Petite bande and regulated steady funding of culture. That's really all we need.

No disagreement here.
But the majority will decide.
That's why cultural committees will remain the toys of governments.

If I would ask at work:
Have any of you ever heard of La Petite Bande?
the answer (probably by all of them) would be:
"No."
But they are a famous classical music baroque ensemble!
"So what? We don't care. You want to hear the latest ringtone of Lady GaGa?"

[71 dB]

No disagreement here.
But the majority will decide.

Fortunately this is not always true. If majority decided, we wouldn't have opera houses, classical music concerts and definitely not la Petite Bande.

That's why cultural committees will remain the toys of governments.

Toys?

If I would ask at work:
Have any of you ever heard of La Petite Bande?
the answer (probably by all of them) would be:
"No."
But they are a famous classical music baroque ensemble!
"So what? We don't care. You want to hear the latest ringtone of Lady GaGa?"

Who the hell is Lady GaGa?  Btw, I don't think I have ever heard la Petite Bande. 

[Coopmv]

When do governments realise that cultural funding must be regulated with buffer funds? Money should be saved in these buffers when it's the good times and use when it's bad times like today. Culture needs steady funding because it's about persistence and the fruits come from longterm dedicated work. Fluctuating the funding based on economical changes is idiotic.

In my opinion, the Europeans need to put some regulations on many of the trashy entertainments from the US in order to preserve their collective cultural heritage.  I am 100% behind the French for at least doing its part ...

[Marc]

Fortunately this is not always true. If majority decided, we wouldn't have opera houses, classical music concerts and definitely not la Petite Bande.

Yes. True. But there's a lot of private money in there.

Toys?

Yes. They are at the mercy of political arbitrariness.
Like thread starter pjme said, they're only so-called 'independent'. Most members of those committees have little idea of culture, and are related to several boards of government.
I'm very very happy with the decision of the Belgian government, but I'm sure that, at first, the 'independent' committee were very very happy with their advice and also were pretty sure that the government would accept it.
After the world-wide attention and support, the government finally decided to make a political decision to prevent the country from being a laughing stock.

Who the hell is Lady GaGa?  Btw, I don't think I have ever heard la Petite Bande. 

To what hell are you referring?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_GaGa
http://www.lapetitebande.be/

[Marc]

Again, the Belgian government has received a negative advice about subsidizing La Petite Bande and again the ensemble is threatened.
If you don't agree with this, plz raise your voice and sign this petition:

http://www.savelapetitebande.be/

[hafod]

Done.

[Florestan]

Done.

+1

[prémont]

Done.

Did some days ago.

[Gurn Blanston]

Also done, and urge all of you to take 30 seconds to do the same.

Thanks,
Gurn

[stingo]

Done!

[mszczuj]

Thank you. Saving La Petite Bande is saving Europe.

[Papy Oli]

done

[North Star]

Done

[DaveF]

Trying to follow the link in the first post (savelapetitebande.com) but it takes me to a page headed "Choosing a Miami Pharmacy for your Needs".  If this is just me then I shall start to worry...

DF

[Opus106]

Trying to follow the link in the first post (savelapetitebande.com) but it takes me to a page headed "Choosing a Miami Pharmacy for your Needs".  If this is just me then I shall start to worry...

DF

It's not just you. The .com domain name is no longer valid, as they have changed to .be.

[Coopmv]

Just did my part.  Lets hope for the best ...

[Marc]

From the petition site:

Dear Visitor : The funding of La Petite Bande from the government has been withdrawn. A message from Sigiswald Kuijken:

"I'm baffled by this decision. I believe that our cause was well defended and we gave it the dignity it deserved. Furthermore, I find no words for that decision, and do not understand the position of the committee . We will now see how we take it from here."
25-6-12

[stingo]

That's a shame... Maybe a classical kickstarter is in the works?